Census Analysis: In Population Growth, Florida Ranks No. 2

An analysis by Pew Charitable Trusts: 16 states’ populations have declined since the Great Recession, but one of the big winners is Florida (up 241K).

Americans aren’t afraid to relocate. An analysis of U.S. Census Department data by Pew Charitable Trusts looked at state-to-state migrations since the Great Recession (2010-2020). While the U.S. population grew about 7%, 16 states’ populations declined, with Florida one of the top destinations for relocating Americans.

Only Texas gained more people by about 374,000, according to the analysis. Florida ranked second with a net gain of about 241,000.

Three states – California, Massachusetts and Ohio – spent most of the last decade growing only to see their population decline during 2020.

Three other states – Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania – saw a drop in their number of residents go down for the first time in 2019.

The remaining 10 states – Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia – started their slow population decline earlier.

While the numbers are based on Census Bureau figures, the Pew Charitable Trust says 2020 numbers were not based on the latest Census. The Census counts, once confirmed, will determine which states gain more representation in the House of Representatives and Electoral College.

Still, researchers say the 16 states with a lower population may be entering a period of economic stagnation.

Source: Florida Realtors®